Health Services Division Secretary Md Kamruzzaman Chowdhury today said investigations are underway into the ongoing measles outbreak in the country, the reasons behind the vaccine shortage and the incidents of child deaths.
He said, “The government has launched an investigation into the measles outbreak and vaccine crisis. The inquiry will examine whether there was any negligence by anyone involved and why so many children died.”
The Health Secretary made the remarks while responding to questions from journalists at a roundtable discussion titled “Measles Outbreak and the Way Forward” held at Bangladesh Medical University in the city.
The roundtable was organized by Bangladesh Health Reporters Forum.
Kamruzzaman Chowdhury said that the state bears responsibility for every death and that proper investigations into those incidents are necessary. “The child deaths caused by measles are being investigated. You will be informed once the investigation report is completed,” he said.
The keynote paper at the event was presented by Prof Dr. Mirza Ziaul Islam, Head of the Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at Bangladesh Shishu Hospital and Institute. Representatives from UNICEF and the World Health Organization were also present.
